Best Academy?
- Thread starter Shawn
- Start date
Barcelona Academy in Burnaby FCBEscola Vancouver | FC Barcelona Official Academy
Admin
Administrator
- Feb 23, 2015
- 392
For those of you answering, could you explain why they are good?
I believe there is a difference between "I know the owners only" good and "my kid is enrolled" good. And then there is the "I follow them on twitter" good
I believe there is a difference between "I know the owners only" good and "my kid is enrolled" good. And then there is the "I follow them on twitter" good
easoccer
Established Member
- Aug 27, 2015
- 862
I have had my kids enrolled in several academies over the years and I'll be honest, the level of training is very similar across the board. REally, the training doesnt differ that much between club academies. Where the difference lies is in the players that attend. You may see TSS around a lot, and thats because they have a lot of players attending and are promoted well.
"they have a lot of players attending...." kinda answers the question doesn't it?
easoccer
Established Member
- Aug 27, 2015
- 862
But what are the quality? How many of those players were developed by them and at what level are they playing? Even more important of a question is what is the drive of the player? Is the player motivated to succeed and grow into a someone who will play in College or pro? IMHO spending money on a year around academy isnt really necessary unless the player meets those criteria. Extra training through a club academy at a couple hundred for a season should suit most.
But I digress. When evalutaing a place for a young player to train at such a TSS it would be wise to ask for a trial and see for yourself. Do you suit them? Do they suit you? Regardless of the success of the Academy the coaching style and or curriculum could conflict with the player.
4_the_kids
Active Member
- Oct 20, 2015
- 312
I agree with easoccer, I am going a bit off topic here so bare with...
Private academies are only needed because club programs don't fulfill the need of the parent. In there lies the issue the 'need of the parent' , its a business . Its not about the players. They promote well because they can spend the money on promotion. The reality is the academy isn't making the player, in my opinion, the truly elite player , the ones that go one to college, Whitecap residency, to play pro will get there regardless. There are just as many kids getting opportunities who never attend a private academy.
We need greater participation in club academies, better programming at club levels and private academies are taking that away, both in the recruitment of players and coaches.
Some stats to consider and ask yourself if the extra money in private academies is going to change this for your kid(s)
Percentage of players who advance to BCSPL - around 1.2-1.5% ( based on 8 franchises x 9 teams x 18-20 players)/ 100,000 ( estimated amount of youth soccer players in BC)
- -1500 + male and female player in BCSPL from 2012-2014
-- 95 from 2012-2014 advanced to Whitecaps Residency program (6%)
- -277 played in the provincial program ( 18%)
- -80 went on to college / university ( 5%)
- -17 selected to youth national team (1%)
In the US :
-- High school senior players who go on to play NCAA men's soccer: Less than three in 50, or 5.7 percent.
-- NCAA senior players drafted by a Major League Soccer (MLS) team: Less than one in 50, or 1.9 percent.
-- High school senior players eventually drafted by an MLS team: About one in 1,250, or 0.08 percent. That's about the chance that tomorrow will be February 29.
The question was "are there any good private academies." I answered with my opinion, which is what the thread asked for.
What you guys are getting into is down to personal choice of the player, and the choice of the academy to accept a player or not.
4thekids said clubs do not offer what private academies do offer - I can't think of an NFP that doesn't offer an extra day of training or even an extra two days of training for their select players. Rec players are not entering private academies.
That said, if a club doesn't have the skilled coaches that a private academy can offer then that's a totally different discussion - then you want to ask yourself do you sign up for the club in the first place, or simply play at the private academy full time.
But, I do agree - don't waste time and money with an academy (or even extra training with your club) if you are simply a rec player - and plenty of "select" or even BCSPL players are rec! Plenty of kids play at those levels just happen to be good enough, can afford it and/or have friends on the team but in their heart and mind they are rec players. Also, I do agree that if you can tryout for an academy for a night or two and evaluate the quality of the coaches yourself, then do so.
What you guys are getting into is down to personal choice of the player, and the choice of the academy to accept a player or not.
4thekids said clubs do not offer what private academies do offer - I can't think of an NFP that doesn't offer an extra day of training or even an extra two days of training for their select players. Rec players are not entering private academies.
That said, if a club doesn't have the skilled coaches that a private academy can offer then that's a totally different discussion - then you want to ask yourself do you sign up for the club in the first place, or simply play at the private academy full time.
But, I do agree - don't waste time and money with an academy (or even extra training with your club) if you are simply a rec player - and plenty of "select" or even BCSPL players are rec! Plenty of kids play at those levels just happen to be good enough, can afford it and/or have friends on the team but in their heart and mind they are rec players. Also, I do agree that if you can tryout for an academy for a night or two and evaluate the quality of the coaches yourself, then do so.
This thread caught my eye, partially because it's never talked about in the open. After reading the comments above, I noticed no one has listed all the private Academies in the lower mainland. After an extensive google search, I have compiled the following list:
TSS
Whitecaps Academy
Premiere Soccer Academy
Primo Sports Academy
Roman Tulis Academy
Blaise Academy
Barcelona Academy
Europa Academy
East Vancouver Soccer Academy
Volf Academy
Elite Soccer Academy
I have gone to each website and from my findings, the geographical breakdown is:
TSS - Richmond / Vancouver area
Whitecaps - Lower Mainland / BC Interior Regions
Primo Sports Academy - Vancouver Area
Blaise Academy - Vancouver Area
Barelona Academy - Burnaby Area
Roman Tulis Academy - Burnaby Area
Europa Academy - Vancouver Area
Volf Academy - Vancouver Area
Elite Soccer Academy - Surrey Area
East Vancouver Soccer Academy - Vancouver Area
Premiere Soccer Academy - Coquitlam Area
They all have decent websites with qualified professional coaches from what I know and can see. In my opinion the next step if anyone is looking for a additional or supplement technical training is their approach to the game or ideology / philosophy. From what I hear thru the web, word of mouth and website based ( approach to the game and testimonials ) I am personally impressed with Barcelona's approach, Volf Academy, and Premiere Soccer Academy. TSS has been around the longest and uses a indoor bubble as their training ground which has its advantages.
EASOCCER made a comment that he finds that all academies including the Club Academies seem to be the same across the board. Opposite from my experience, I know of many parents have expressed that some academies are completely different that others, and are using European methods to train. This is why Roman Tulis has done so well, unfortunately he is no longer with us. In my opinion, he started the European style of youth development in B.C.
Now I have seen several Academies with this same approach. Barcelona Academy, Volf Academy and Premiere Soccer Academy outlining this approach specifically within their website. I think first and foremost you have to look at the coach himself or herself and his/her passion and knowledge of the game first and than their approach to development. Making sure they cover all aspects of the game, including futsal. A few comments above also illustrate points regarding rec players playing the game in competitive levels. This is why the coaching staff is important. A shift in mentality and culture is needed to display to that specific player the game and what it can offer, perhaps post high school. I find this topic quite interesting, due to the influx in professional coaches and Academies popping up recently, many apparently doing excellent work. At least, from what I hear and see.
TSS
Whitecaps Academy
Premiere Soccer Academy
Primo Sports Academy
Roman Tulis Academy
Blaise Academy
Barcelona Academy
Europa Academy
East Vancouver Soccer Academy
Volf Academy
Elite Soccer Academy
I have gone to each website and from my findings, the geographical breakdown is:
TSS - Richmond / Vancouver area
Whitecaps - Lower Mainland / BC Interior Regions
Primo Sports Academy - Vancouver Area
Blaise Academy - Vancouver Area
Barelona Academy - Burnaby Area
Roman Tulis Academy - Burnaby Area
Europa Academy - Vancouver Area
Volf Academy - Vancouver Area
Elite Soccer Academy - Surrey Area
East Vancouver Soccer Academy - Vancouver Area
Premiere Soccer Academy - Coquitlam Area
They all have decent websites with qualified professional coaches from what I know and can see. In my opinion the next step if anyone is looking for a additional or supplement technical training is their approach to the game or ideology / philosophy. From what I hear thru the web, word of mouth and website based ( approach to the game and testimonials ) I am personally impressed with Barcelona's approach, Volf Academy, and Premiere Soccer Academy. TSS has been around the longest and uses a indoor bubble as their training ground which has its advantages.
EASOCCER made a comment that he finds that all academies including the Club Academies seem to be the same across the board. Opposite from my experience, I know of many parents have expressed that some academies are completely different that others, and are using European methods to train. This is why Roman Tulis has done so well, unfortunately he is no longer with us. In my opinion, he started the European style of youth development in B.C.
Now I have seen several Academies with this same approach. Barcelona Academy, Volf Academy and Premiere Soccer Academy outlining this approach specifically within their website. I think first and foremost you have to look at the coach himself or herself and his/her passion and knowledge of the game first and than their approach to development. Making sure they cover all aspects of the game, including futsal. A few comments above also illustrate points regarding rec players playing the game in competitive levels. This is why the coaching staff is important. A shift in mentality and culture is needed to display to that specific player the game and what it can offer, perhaps post high school. I find this topic quite interesting, due to the influx in professional coaches and Academies popping up recently, many apparently doing excellent work. At least, from what I hear and see.
easoccer
Established Member
- Aug 27, 2015
- 862
Basically, I didn't say all. I was only talking about the ones my kids played at and my comments was to the level of training and not the specific approach. I watched all from the sidelines and while the interactions, pace and drills seam quite similar, I cant speak to exactly what is and isnt said to the students.
4_the_kids
Active Member
- Oct 20, 2015
- 312
There are even more academies not on this list such as FAS, B.E.S.T, Pro touch, Coerver, Alba, . I just wanted to quickly revisit this and why I think academies are actually hurting the development of players. Academies are usually costly, which makes them exclusive, they often pay well, attract top talents. They are purposed in that they are for advanced players. They may or may not follow the Long Term Player development model.
Because they consume parent resources, attract coaching talent they become competitors to the community club programs, Could you imagine how much better all levels would be if these academies where at the clubs, that is imagine TSS not being a self identity but being simply the program being offered through Richmond FC, community clubs are farther reaching and are the heart of grassroots, but if they can not compete with the offerings of these private academies. This is were these academies are actually doing more harm than good, we need that level of program at every community club.
There are always exceptions to the rules, Whitecaps academy for example should be a recruitment avenue to their residency program.
Elite Soccer Academy in Surrey is run by Jeff Clarke the Surrey United TD, and is their spring / summer soccer offering and also runs the development academy at Surrey United. By all accounts Surrey United's academy is very good and this is an excellent example of that level of training and programming being part of the club and not a separate competing identity.
I always here these academies complaining how bc soccer won't allow them to be members, and participate in sanctioned leagues. BC Soccer has no choice , otherwise all the elite player go these academies and community clubs would struggle to survive. Instead of trying to be better and compete these academies should be trying to work with the community clubs and be part of the programs. Clubs need to open up as well and allow these programs in , right now they are afraid too as the academies use it recruit top talent or so goes the fear.
Not to mention these academies don't respect the BC Soccer District boundaries, may not be not for profit., aren't always willing to follow BC Soccer's rule of governance etc..
Anyways that is my rant of the day , bottom line is we need every community club to be offering the same high level of programming and coaching within their academies and for both streams of elite and rec.. and currently the private academies while well intended are inadvertently hurting that effort.
Admin
Administrator
- Feb 23, 2015
- 392
How does that work though if "club academies" are a more recent development? Some of the more well known / successful academies have been around for ages - how can they be to blame when they provided a service that no one else was?
4_the_kids
Active Member
- Oct 20, 2015
- 312
I agree that academies had been filling a void, we just need to look at this from a new perspective to move forward.
The talent, programs in these academies can play a big role in the development of players, but clubs can not be competing with them we need to be working together.
The goal is developing players for the national side, we need alignment from all parties, personal gain needs to be put aside for it to work.
Below is a snap shot of the German structure that we sort of are trying to follow and should be, obviously we don't have the professional leagues, teams , academies. There is place for these academies as part of the pathway but not as a competing identity, somewhere in either the development programs or elite schools...
Look at step 2, development programs are community clubs, regional associations are provincial associations, centers of excellence are like the Provincial HPL ( not the EABCSPL) , Elite schools would be Whitecaps academy . residency
So where do private academies fit? I think either at the club levels or at the Elite schools ( elite school are pro club academies)
As an Elite School can TSS, Barcelona , Roman Tullis put together teams to compete with Whitecaps Residency? Is there enough players at that level to form 4 or 5 teams? Perhaps this is where they should be? At the same time we need to make sure playing with competing academies doesn't hurt ones chance of playing for the pro team or national team, politics have to be pushed aside. If there isn't enough talent then the club level is where these academies need to be involved.
Perhaps that is the key, we simply don't have enough talent to spread out yet.
Its not a blame game
Admin
Administrator
- Feb 23, 2015
- 392
The business academies would be slotted in as an elite school in that system.
If they have paid coaches who have high levels of certification/licensing, why would you want to shut them out? Isn't that one of the struggles today, i.e., coaches who know what they are doing?
If they have paid coaches who have high levels of certification/licensing, why would you want to shut them out? Isn't that one of the struggles today, i.e., coaches who know what they are doing?
4_the_kids
Active Member
- Oct 20, 2015
- 312
Not trying to shut them out at all. I am saying they need to be retained ideally at club or regional levels Every club, regional district has paid TD's and staff coaches and competition for those jobs should be strong,
Or we keep working against each other, trying to achieve the same goal but not in synergy. then its all about bragging rights, who had more players go to pro soccer or who's system is better , all about individual ego's and not about improving the standard and developing elite level players that can put Canada on the international scale.
The current models are not working , clearly we need change. But I digress...
I will share with you, as politely as possible, why I think your reasoning is BS. Are academies expensive, and thus somewhat exclusive? Yes. And no. Kids who play in Academies can also play in regular clubs. Kids at TSS, for example, are free to play with their local club too. That they can afford the extra cost of TSS, for example, does not harm, but improves their club team.
Second, why are clubs not putting together coach education programs to get their own coaches as educated as private academies. These clubs run on budgets in the 6 figures. They can figure out a way to develop and educate their coaches.
Elite Soccer Academy in Surrey? Never heard of it. So this must be geared toward MSL and lower level players because BCSPL kids aren't allowed to be in academies separate from their BCSPL team.
BCSA absolutely can allow private academies to become full members. That talented kids would congregate to them, as they provide the best coaching and training environment, would be a good thing. Community NFP's would continue to run just fine. They simply wouldn't retain the top level players. But, the purpose of an NFP is not to train elite, national team level players!